Joe Bogdanovich Urges Reggae Sumfest Fans To Get There Early

CEO of Downsound Entertainment Joe Bogdanovich has urged fans to be early for the two big nights of Reggae Sumfest.

“There will be a very big line,” he told DancehallMag. “It’s going to be big, it’s going to be full, Friday and Saturday night, I am just telling you, it’s gonna be big, it’s gonna be full, get there early or wait in line.”

The CEO also shared that patrons should attend the parties leading up to Sumfest, happening from the 18th of July, as he promises it will be “fabulous.”

Known as the largest music festival in Jamaica and the Caribbean, Reggae Sumfest started in 1993, and was acquired by Joe in 2016, from former chairman Robert Russell.

This year, in preparation for the event’s ‘Green Reggae Sumfest Festival’, Joe, St. James Municipal Councillor, Dwight Crawford, members of Hardware & Lumber, and members from Margaritaville, with over 150 volunteers did a massive beach clean up at Catherine Hall Beach in Montego Bay and collected over 2000 pounds of garbage and recyclable materials.

The climate-aware businessman told the Gleaner in May, that the beach clean-up was the first in a series of preparations towards the goal of going green for the festival.

“We are going to put signs backstage to sensitise the artistes; it’s that important. Although it attracts extra expenses, it is extremely necessary because this needs a different kind of thinking; the message can’t be dull; it must be cool and attractive,” he explained.

Reggae Sumfest will be working with Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ) to separate plastics from regular garbage throughout all events from the 18th to the 23rd to maintain the festival’s green initiative.

On night one, Friday July 22, the main stage will see performances by Teejay, Lalee, Spice, Masicka, Aidonia, Chronic Law, Shenseea, Jahshii, Ishawna, Iwaata, Ding Dong, Skeng, Alkaline, Govana, Intence, Harry Toddler, Marcy Chin, Rytikal, 450, Moyann, Shella Topstar, The Pyros, Jah Fabio, Jaesinco, Tishane, and Teebone with stage presenters, Boasy Boi Floyd, Miss Kitty, and Boom Boom.

While on night two, Saturday July 23, Beres Hammond, Koffee, Dexta Daps, Sizzla, Christopher Martin, Jada Kingdom, D’Yani, and Shaneil Muir will hit the main stage, in addition to a very special MadHouse Tribute to Dave Kelly starring heavy-hitters Cham, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder, Frisco Kid, Mr. Easy, and Spragga Benz with stage presenters, Boasy Boy Floyd and Richie B.

Backing bands for both festival nights will be Warrior Love and Ruff Kutt.

Other performers on night two include Yaksta, Nation Boss, Wesroc, Lawgiver The Kingson, Yashamba, Frass, Dre Zee, and Irie Soulja.